Typewriting machine



Aug. 31 1926.

' 1,598,591 J. H. BASINGER TYREWRITING MACHINE Filed Oct. 20, 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet} a? 531 4 E13 i '3 @nvenior Aug. 31, 1926. I 1,598,591-

1 J. H., BASINGER TYPEWRITING MACHINE Filed Oct. 20, 1921 2 snag-sheet 2 IIIII'IIIAIIIII,

I 56! 4M] [1 fin u 110 K m4] [101 an n 0 tr 4 41 mg [H1 n u 1- 19,43 DU UJ] U0 [1 4 an n u n u [r 1% mu u 00 [+2 Patented Aug. 31, 1926.

JOHN H. BASINGER, OF OKLAHOMJA CITY, OKLAHOMA.

'IYIPEWRITING MACHINE.

Application filed October 20, 1921.

This invention relates to typewriting machines in which electro-magnets are used to actuate the type-bars, either by their own force or to put them'into operative connection with some other actuating member, and

the object of the inventionis to provide means by which two or more keys may be manipulated simultaneously to write in their proper order the letters of a word or a syllable or any group of letters, and, by such improved means in combination with the usual means of operating typewriters of the character described, to provide a ma chine capable of higher operating speed.

This object is obtained by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a diagram of a part of the electric elements and connections of a typewriter having five sets of keys showing the parts that are involved in writing four letters, r t y u; Fig. 2 is a vertical section thru the actuating mechanism of an automatic typewriter in connection with mechanism for actuating an operating member; Fig. 3 is a vertical section thru a keyboard on the line i i in Fig.4, Fig. 5, and Fig. 6 at the side of the keys B, G and T and thru the key above; Fig. 4 is a front view of a part of the keyboard showing four columns of keys; Fig. 5 is a top view of the same; Fig. 6 shows the part of a switch board behind the keys shown in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5; Fig. 7 shows a switch, open at the left,

' closed at the middle and automatically opened at the right.

In all the several views similar letters and numerals refer to similar parts.

This improvement is adapted to be used in any typewriter in which electro-magnets are used'to actuate the type bars either by their own force or by putting them into operating connection withsome other actuating member. In either case such magnets are referred to herein as actuating magnets and as actuating the type bars. Also, the keys which are involved in closing electric circuits to energize these magnets are spoken of hereinas actuating the type bars.

0 It is preferred to show the invention in connection with an automatic typewriter in which the type bars are actuated by a constantly revolving cylinder 44. A coupler 43 is attached to the key lever or type-actuating lever 42 and is put into operative con- Serial No. 509,132.

tact with the cylinder 44 by a clamp member 45. The member. 45 turns on a pivot and is actuated by an electro-magnet 3 and a spring 61 attached above center. The magnet 3 actuates the lever 46 to turn the clamp member and the spring moves off center and draws the member down and presses the coupler 43 against the cylinder 44, and the motion of the cylinder draws the coupler down and actuates the type-bar.

It is not the object of this specification to discuss the operative relation between the actuating magnets and the type bars. The mechanism herein described is that which controls the electric current thru the actu atmg magnets.

In this improvement in typewriting ma chines there are five sets of keys for the actuation of the one set of type bars. One key of each set actuates the same type bar by closing an electric circuit thru the coil of the one magnet which actuates that type bar. Each set of keys actuates the type bars for all the letters of the alphabet. The keys 1 constitute one of the live sets and are referred to ,as principal keys. These keys are actuated one after another in any order and the corresponding types are actuated in the same order. This set of keys when' standing alone is a common means for operating electric typewriters but it becomes a part of this invention by combination and cooperation with new elements.

The keys 01, 02, O3 and 04 constitute four of the said five sets of keys and are referred to as auxiliary keys. There may be more or less than four sets of these keys. and still be within this invention. The machine is operated by the simultaneous actuationof one key of each of these four sets in cooperation with the mechanism described in the following paragraphs.

Referring to Fig. 1 at 11, 1 Y or U it is seen that the coil of the type actuating magnet 3 is in the course of five electric circuits.- It may be said that it is in a circuit having variations but it is preferredto treat them as five circuits. 'When either of these circuits is closed the magnet is energized or magnetized and actuates the correspond-. ing type. One of the five circuits of each magnet is referred to as the main or primary circuit. These circuits are closed by the principal keys 1 described above. A

magnet actuating the word spacer has one 7 1 in allthe first lateral circuits so that the circuit which is treated as a primary circuit.

ber 30 actuates a contactbrush 31 to close the otherofthe two switches ineach of the four circuits. The brushesare moved to connect successively thelines 1, 2 3 and 41, one terminal oft-he switch in thefirst, second, ird and ,ieu eter c r ui s sp ti y with a line "5 the other terminal of each switch in af commoncourse ofthese circuits h fa e o d a 29 T e l ne 5 is @011- m i sflw th th lin 2 t0 th ma A line 41- connects all the magnets 3 with a battery'3S. A magnet is in a common course of all the primary circuits and all the fourth lateral circuits'and a magnet 18 is in a common course of all the first, second and third lateral circuits.

' There are two dials 29 on which the switch terminals in thelateral' circuits are exposed, one dial on each side ofthe member 30 which carries brushes on both sides and is pivoted at the center of thedials. Themember 30 is actuated by aratchet 33 which has a rod 36 connected with a lever 39. A universal bar is supported on the lever 39 below and within-the stroke of any lever 42. The magnetlSis in positionto actuate the rod 36 andwhen any'key O1, 02 or 03 is actuated,

the magnet isji'n circuit and drawsthe rod down and the'ratchet engages the teeth 37 on the operating member "'30 so that the stroke of anylever 412 actuates the member 30 to 'move the brushes from one circuit to the next. A spring 35 retracts the rod 36' and supports the universal bar 10 and a ratchet '52 supports the member 30 in its advanced position. The magnet 15 is positioned to-actuate the ratchet 52 and when any key lfor O l'is actuated this magnet is in circuit'and releases the ratchet and a spring 51 retracts the member 30 to its normal position.

\Vhenthe' operating member 30 is in nor mal position the brushes 31' rest on the lines actuation of any key 01 closes the circuit and actuates the corresptmding type. The

g et ac uate th a e t en a the teeth on the operatingmember 30 and the stroke of the lever 12 actuates the member to move allthe brushes 31to the lines 2 in the second lateral circuits. In the same mannerthe actuation ofiany kev 02 moves the brushes to the lines 3 in the thirdlateral circuit and the actuation of any key 03 moves them to the lines 4? in the fourth lateral circuits. When any key 0 1 is actuated the magnet 15 is in circuit and releases the ratchet 5 and the spring 51 re tracts the member 30 and returns the brushes to the first lateral circuits.

W hen all the auxiliary keys 01, 02, 03 and 04: of the same letter group are actuated at the same time the key 01 instantly 956 11 ir ui and ctua e he c rr sponding type and when the brush 31 is moved to thesecond, third and fourth circuits of the group as described'these circuits will be closed successively and the type will be actuated repeatedly. "ll/hen one key of each of the different sets and ,of different letters are actuated at the same time the brushes will be moved as described and the several types will be actuated in the order of lthe key 'sets to which theactuated keys belong.

The cooperation of the parts as described above is illustrated in the following example, using capital letters to distinguish similar parts used in writing differentletters:

Actuate simultaneously the keys 01 R, 02 T, 03 Y and 04 U: The key 01 Rcloses the circuit instantly and the magnet 18 actuates the ratchet 33 to connect with the operating member 30, the magnet 3 R actuatesf the type R, and the lever 42 R depresses the universal bar 10 and actuates the operating member 30 to move all the brushes 31 to the second lateral circuits; the brush 31 T closes the circuit of'the actuated key 02 T and the magnet 18 actuates the ratchet 33 to connect with the operating member 30, the magnet 3 T actuates the type T and the lever 12 T depresses the universal bar 410 and actuates the operating member 30,to move all the brushes 31 to the third lateral circuits; the brush 31 'Y closes the circuit'of the actuated key 03 Y and the magnet 18 actuates the ratchet33 to connect with the operating member'30, the magnet3 Y actuates the type Y and the lever 12 Y depresses the universal bar 10 and actuates the operating member 30 to move all the brushes 31 to the fourth lateral circuits; the brush 31 U closes the circuit of the actuated key Ol U and the magnet 3 U actuates the type U, the magnet 15.1'eleases the ratchet 52"aud the spring 51 retracts the operating member 30 an'd'moves all the brushes 31 tothe first lateral circuits; The four letters will be written in the order 1' t y u. f

The auxiliary keys maybe used repeated- 1y; when one key offeachset is used so that the key 0% is involved orwhen any key 01, 02 or 03 is follow'edby the word-space key to release-the operating member 30. They may be used interchangeably with theprincipal keys or they may cooperate with the principal keys in writing lon words, using a part or all the auxiliary zeys before or after the principal keys.

The five sets of keys with the switches and electric connections pertaining to the keyboard are supported on a frame having a base 9 and a switch board 7 with a horizontal extension 10. The switches in the primary circuits are situated at the base 9 and the switches in the lateral circuits which are closed by the auxiliary keys are on the switch board 7. Each of the principal keys is mounted on a reach 11 pivoted near the front of the switch board 7 and has a plunger 1? by which it closes the switch in one of the primary circuits at the base when the key is depressed.

The auxiliary keys O1, 02, 03 and 04 are carried on the reaches 11 of the principal keys l by stems 5 passing thru standards erected on the reaches. The heads of the four auxiliary keys for one letter are closely assembled on one reach and constitute the head of the principal key for another letter. The top of the two upper keys 03 and Oi are flatted and together they form the face of the principal key. The keys auxiliary to any principal key are carried on the reach, and combined with the prin-.

cipal key next behind and above sothat when the palm of the finger rests on the faceof the principal key the keys auxiliary thereto are immediately at the finger tip.

The keys auxiliary to the principal keys of the first or front row are combined with the principal keys of the second row. The auxiliary to the principal keys of the third row combined with the keys of the fourth row. The keys of the fourth row have 'no auxiliary keys. In typewriters having only about thirty type bars and three rows of keys the keys auxiliary to the principal keys of the third row are supported from the top of the frame 10.

The principal keys are actuated downward one at a time by the palm touch of the finger. The auxiliary keys are actuated horizontally by the tips of the fingers, several of which (one of each set) are actuated simultaneously by a forward thrust ofone or both hands. The switch shown in Fig. 7 is used in the primary circuits and the first lateral circuits. A spring member 20 is tensioned to open circuit and closes the switch when driven against an inclined contact 19 live electric circuits,

by a plunger 17 actuated by the key. When the spring encounters the incline it moves aside the plunger and opens the circuit while the finger rests on the actuated key.

In the second, third and fourth lateral circuits two points of the switch are exposed on the face of the switch board 7. The switch 6 is closed by flexible contact pads 6 carried on the stems 5 of the auxiliary keys 02, 03 and 04 when the keys are actuated horizontally.

I claim:

1. In a typewriting machine, a set of electromagnets of which each magnet actuates one type bar and is in a common course of one set of principal keys of which each key is actuated to close one circuit of one of the said magnets and actuates the corresponding type bar, four sets of auxiliary keys of which the keys of each set are actuated to close one of two switches in one circuit of each magnet, an operating member which, when in any posi tion, closes simultaneously the other of two switches in all the circuits wherein one switch is closed by the keys of one set and thereby cooperates with any actuated key of that set to close the circuit and actuate the type corresponding to the actuated key and which operating member is actuated, by means disclosed. to close successively the other of the two switches in each of the four circuits of each magnet wherein one switch is closed by a key of a different set and thereby cooperate successively with four keys, when one key of each of four sets are actuated simultaneously, and close fourcircuits and actuate successively four types corresponding to the four actuated keys.

2. In a typewriting machine, one principal key mounted on a reach which is supported on a pivot and which key is actuated downward and closes one circuit in one magnet and actuates one type bar and having four auxiliary keys which actuate thesame type bar and which are positioned immediately above and behind the face of the principal key and which are supported on the reach of a key other than the said principal key and are actuated horizontally to close the switches and cooperate with the operating member to close the circuits and actuate the corresponding types in the manner and for the purpose disclosed.

JOHN II. BASINGER. 

